The trigger points of the Pectoralis Major can cause extremely alarming misdiagnoses, especially when they simulate severe heart problems.

In addition, there are somatovisceral effects which consist of somatic-muscular reflections of visceral syndromes. In such cases, the trigger points of the Pectoralis Major can: not exclude, co-exist or be a consequence of cardiac syndromes.

It is therefore always importat to rule out conditions that give similar symptoms, including Angina Pectoris.

One of the perpetuating factors in myofascial syndromes that is often underestimated, is the deficiency of some vitamins and minerals.

Often, in order to achieve a lasting remission of the problems related to trigger points, manual therapy alone is not sufficient, but one must eliminate all perpetuating factors as well. In this article I will focus on the very important category of perpetuating factors constituted by inadequate nutrition.

As a youth, I was very athletic. Then, when I was about 35, I became overburdened with work and family obligations, and so I let myself go a bit.

On the occasion of my fortieth birthday though, I looked at myself in the mirror, and noticing with horror the belly that had transformed my outline, I promised myself I would return to running regularly the way I used to do when I was twenty.

So I managed to get a pair of very expensive running shoes as a gift, and the following day, early in the morning, I gulped a cup of coffe and out I went, running on the street.

The Sternocleidomastoid lends itself to some of the most interesting myofascial syndromes and is a prime example of how trigger points can sometimes give rise to the most multifarious misdiagnoses.

The muscle, as its name tells us, consists of two divisions, one external and anterior that inserts at the Sternum and Clavicle, and the other, posterior and internal that attaches to the Clavicle. The common origin of the muscle is in the Mastoid process.